Filing container



Dec. 5, 1939. F. D. JoNAs AFILING CONTAINER Original Filed Nov. 5, 1931 ,fm/M5256 BY QWVQMX TToRNEYa.

Huw

Reuued Dec. 5, 19.339

UNI-TED STATE-s PATENT OFFICE FILING comme Original 4No. 1,944,328, dated January 23, 1934,

Serial No. 573,096, November 5, 1931. Application for reissue July 17, 1934, Serial No. 735,714

1 Claim.

This invention relates l'n general to filing containers of ythe sliding drawer type made from cardboard bre and other similar materials and are designed for shipping fiat or "knocked down for setting up by the user.

The general object of the invention is to provide a relatively cheap illing or storage container of this type which is adapted to rapid manufacture in large quantities and which is exceedingly rugged in construction and weil adapted to stand the rigors which such storage containers are subjectecl to. This invention involves many other objects which will appear from the detailed disclosure given below.

This invention resides substantially in the combination, construction, arrangement and relative location of parts all as will be described in detail in the following specication.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a developed view of the sheet of material from which the drawer of the container is constructed;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the finished drawer with the re-enforcing bottom member partially broken away; v

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the drawer;

Fig. 4 is a developed View of the material from which the drawer cabinet-is formed;

Fig. 5 is an end elevational'view of the complete structure showing the cabinet with the drawer therein;

Fig. (i is a vertical central cross-sectional view through the cabinet with the drawer removed;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional detailed view of a modified construction.

There are at the present a number of filing or storage containers of the general nature of this invention. Such containers, however, have vari ous weaknesses o`r defects which, for one reason or another, impair their eihciency in normal use. For this reason vthe present invention has been. devised with the particular object in mind of constructing an exceedingly strong container of this type by reason of the peculiarities of constructionv employed. The container of this invention is preferably made of cardboard s'uch as the corrugated type, of fibre and other similar materials. By reason of the ruggedness of the container of this invention it is possible to support a number of the containers, one on top of the other, even when loaded to form substantially a filing cabinet of what might'be termed the built-up type. These containers are largely used for the storage of noncurrent records and are stacked in piles of considerable height, necessitating a file of great strength to sustain the load. There are at present filing or storage containers of the general nature o. this invention, but such containers have several deiects and weaknesses which impair their eiiciency in normal use. The side walls tend-to buckle under load at the front opening when the drawer is withdrawn. Metal fasteners and handles must be pierced for and attached by the user entailing considerable time for erection, and there are many raw'cut edges exposed giving the container a crude, unnished appearance. The container of this invention, by reason of the peculiarities of construction employed, is generally more rugged and substantiaL'is greatly strengthened against buckling of the side Walls at the front opening, can be setfup very quickly as there are no handles or metallic pins or fasteners to attach, and has a minimum of raw cut. edges exposed thus presenting a more finished, pleasing appearance.

Referring to the drawing in detail there is shown in Fig. l a single piece of material from which the drawer is substantially formed. It may be cutA out or built up from stock in accordance with the principles long knownin this art. As indicated it comprises in one piece the sections I, ih, 2a, 22H3, 3b, and da, 4b. The sections Ib, 2b. 3b and@ are severed from each other by means of a slot or cut as indicated at I5, I6 .and I1. These same portionsv which are thus formed are foldable along the dotted lines indicated.' The portion 2a is provided with an integral flap .2 which is likewise bendable along the dotted line shown. Attached to the portion 2b is a suitable handle 5 which is illustrated in the drawing as a band or strap, of suitable material such as heavir woven fabric, metal or flbre, secured thereto by means of rivets 6. The handle is of such a design as to permit the gumrned strap I9 to pass through and be aixed to portion 2EL as shown. The drawer is formed by folding the blank of material along the vertical dotted lines 'of Fig. 1 to form right angles. The result is a rectangular form 'which may be secured in this shape at the abutting edges of portions .lEL and ih by means oi' a gummed strap 5B. The portions 2b and Ib are then folded into right angle position with respect to the portions i and 4a respectively, as indicated in Fig. 2, and the portions Ib and 3b are then' folded thereover as is indicated in Fig.

42. A strap of gummed material I9 is then fastened over the joint formed at the bottom of the container as clearly indicated in Fig. 2 and is brought up some distance on sides 2a and la. It is, of course, apparent that the opposed edges of the portions Ib and 3b of Fig. 2 may be substantially in contact or separated a short distance as indicated in Fig. 2. A rectangular piece of material is then forced down into the container to'form a smooth interior bottom Wall therefor. The strap or handle 5 projects out of one end of the container as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 and the ends which are attached to the portions 2b by the rivets 6 lie between the portions 2b and the` portions IIJ and 3b as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The portion 2c is then folded over at right angles to form a finished edge and a wall under which the papers in the container lie especially when it is full to prevent the papers from interfering with the drawer action. This portion or fiap 2c also fits down between the side walls of the drawer to strengthen the drawer against lateral pressures as does the tight-fitting inlaid bottom portion I8, The portions 2h and 4b likewise fold up into va position so as to lie between the side pieces Ia and 3*1 so as to act in conjunction with the flap 2c to laterally strengthen the drawer. As a result of this construction, which is exceedingly simple, a very' rugged and strong drawer is obtained.

The case for the drawer is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. It comprises a single piece of materia-l comprising the portions 20B, 2Ia, 22B, 23, 20h, 2lb, 22h, 23h, 20c, 22, 2 Ic, and 23C. All of these portions are integral to form a single piece which isfoldable upon the dotted lines to form the container. The portions 20h, 2lb, 22b and 23b are separated longitudinally by the slots or cuts 24. 25 and 26. The main body portion is bent on the dotted line so as to form a rectangular enclosure having the sides 20a and 22a and the top and bottom 23 and 2|. The abutting edges are sealed together by means of the gummed strip 28. The walls of the container are given a double thickness by bending the aps 2Gb, 2lb, 22b and 23b on the dotted lines into the container so as to lie fiat against and parallel with the inside surfaces of the walls 20", 2|, 22L and 23a respectively. These long flaps can be folded in position by scoring them at suitable points as is well known in this art. The upper and lower flaps (2 I b and 23h) when turned in are a close fit between the sides (2|ill and 22e) while the side flaps (22b and 20) when turned in fit closely between the turned in flaps 2lb and 23b thereby forming walls of double thickness with the-side walls taking the load of the double thickness top. Iurning in the flaps provides not only smooth edges as indicated in Fig. 5 but the fold immeasurably strengthens the lfront opening through the greater resistance to distortion which a fold provides. The result is that at the front of the container -it is provided with smooth edges as indicated in Fig. 5. By folding back the flaps onto the portion to which they are attached the container is not only given walls of double thickness, as is clear from Fig. 6 which is the section through the case, but the fold itself at the front opening has the property of resisting buckling, bowing, or sagging. The flaps 20 and 22e are then bent into a right angle position as is clear from Fig 6.

vides the container which receives the drawer as is clear in Fig. 5. It is at once apparent that the rigidity and strength imparted by the construction employed provides an outer case or shell which is vexceedingly strong and well adapted to support without crushing not only the weight of the contents thereof buiI a number of similarly loaded illes one upon the other even though the drawers are either partially or completely witb.-

drawn. They are also enabled by means of this construction to endure the relatively rough treatment to which they would benorlnally subjected.

The principle of increasing the strength and rigidity of the outer container is carried further in a slightly different form in Fig. 7. The front edges of the container are expanded into a wall of the desired width as indicated at X with the side wall 22n and the flap portion 22h .lying parallel as indicated. This construction may be reg-enforced by insertion of woodmetal or fibre member of a suitable form likethe U-shaped girder 30 which fits on the interior thereof and may be, if desired, glued or otherwise secured thereto. This construction gives even greater rigidity tothe outer container although it tends to enlarge its overall dimensions somewhat. The principle of construction, howeverI is the same in both forms of structure.

It should also be noted that by the construction employed in attaching the handle in the 4manner illustrated the strains which are transmitted through the handle are evenly distributed throughout the drawer structure and because the handle acts in a plane parallel to the flap 22b in the bottom of the drawer the result is an exceedingly strong structure.

Another modification which may be employed in strengthening the casing of this invention consists in providing a metal re-enforcing band which fits entirely around the casing adjacent the open end or mouth thereof and lying between the double walls so as to be entirely covered over.-

Such a re-enforcing strip 'acts to aid in maintaining the casing in correct form when theV drawer is removed therefrom and prevents buckling and bowing even if a number of loaded con- .tainers are resting thereon and the drawer is shell having its open end lying in a vertical plane,

extensionson the top, bottom and side walls folded into the shell to form reenforcements for the open end thereof. the folded extensions of the side walls. lying between the folded extensions of the topfand bottom walls and being of sumcient thickness to lock them in place.

FRANK D. JONAS. 

